Russian Queer: Revolution or Devolution?

We would like to invite you to a Lyosha’s public lecture, organized by Tompkins Square Library (NYPL) in collaboration with RUSA LGBT.

RUSSIAN QUEER: REVOLUTION OR DEVOLUTION?

The century of persecution, struggle, and broken hopes for Russian LGBTIQ.

Living inside the mental and spiritual prison for years during the Soviet times, Russian gays all of a sudden had caught with the Perstroika and liberalization. Although that “honeymoon” would not last long and Russian LGBT would force to hide themselves once again in the closets, or flee the country, being afraid of persecution, tortures, and permanent humiliation. What does it mean to live under the rainbow shadow withing the Putin’s Russia?

Lyosha was forced to leave Russia in 2014 being persecuted as open gay professor and activist. Lyosha has been studying gender and LGBTIQ issues in the context of political transformations since 2005. Lyosha was one of the few researchers within the Russian academia, trying to make LGBTIQ issues visible. Lyosha is a vocal and outspoken public advocate for LGBTIQ rights.